Giving Tuesday Part 1

September 27, 2016

It may not have crossed your mind amidst the beautiful fall weather and the smell of Pumpkin Spice Lattes everywhere, but #GivingTuesday is just around the corner. On Tuesday November 29, non-profits all over the country will be uniting to promote their cause and encourage people to donate.

This digital campaign began in 2012 at the 92nd Street Y, a New York City cultural center. The concept was to utilize the power of social media and the good will of people to create change within communities across the country. Since then, millions of dollars have been donated. In fact, 2015 saw the largest number of donations at $116.7 million!

If you have yet to participate in #GivingTuesday, you should. There are many resources available for all kinds of organizations online. GivingTuesday.org has a library of information and tools that you can download HERE. Below is a list of ways you can maximize the giving potential for #GivingTuesday.

Utilize Your Followers

#GivingTuesday is the time to take advantage of all the followers and likes you have grown over the years, or weeks if you are just now using social media. Post on your Facebook and Twitter page with a link to your donation page. You will get even better results if you post with an inspiring photo or video about your organization.

Use Your Connections

If you feel comfortable, reach out to contacts that have large social media followings, like news anchors, mayors, or your local reality TV star. Ask them to share your donation link on their social media channels.

Email

Email your subscriber list, without a doubt. It is simple and you know these people care about your cause. HERE is a sample email you can use.

Matching Donations

Find donors, or that one board member who is always ready to shell out the bucks, and ask them to match donations. Also, many companies will match an employee’s donation so do not forget to remind people of that.

Support Other Organizations

Harnessing the power of community is what this day is all about. Encourage your employees to donate to other organizations and spread the love!

Be sure to check back next Tuesday for more tips and tools for #GivingTuesday.